Kali Bari Temple

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The name Kali Bari instantly brings Kolkata to mind, where the word is closely associated with Bengali Kali worship and temple traditions. Chennai, too, has its own Kali Bari Temple, a small but well-loved shrine built by the Bengali community living in the city. It stands as a quiet reminder that Chennai has always absorbed cultures from across India and made space for them.

The Kali Bari Temple in West Mambalam, located on Umapathy Street, is especially striking because it resembles a typical Bengal-style temple rather than the usual Dravidian form seen across Chennai. The temple’s white marble structure gives it a clean, serene presence, and the atmosphere inside feels calm even when the street outside is busy.

The presiding deity is Kali, and the shrine also includes a bronze Kali icon in addition to the main icon. A small meditation hall within the complex is another highlight, simple, peaceful, and ideal for a quiet pause.

Alongside Kali, the temple also houses a Ganesha shrine and a Shiva linga. Near the entrance to the main shrine, you will see marble icons of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Sarada Devi, adding a gentle spiritual continuity to the space.

If you are in the Mambalam area, this is a unique Chennai temple worth stepping into—different in style, yet instantly devotional in feeling.

Happy travelling.



Kali Bari Temple



Location: West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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